Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillNRL Round 2 Preview - Raiders VS Storm
March 22nd 2007 23:47
Canberra Raiders VS Melbourne Storm @ Canberra Raiders
Saturday, 24th March, 2007
Saturday, 24th March, 2007
ANALYSIS
This match shapes up as somewhat of a mismatch Melbourne, the team that everyone is tipping to take the title, and Canberra, the team most are declaring as wooden spoon favourites.
But even though the Raiders lost 32-6 last week against Manly, you can rest assured that Canberra will be a different team at home on a chilly Saturday night. Coach Neil Henry has the most youthful and inexperienced teams in the competition, but with youth comes exuberance and speed, and the Raiders are probably one of only three teams that can compete with Melbourne in the pure pace department.
Melbourne should be too strong for the Canberra side, with a settled half/hooker combination and their structured defence being their strong points. Canberra struggled to break the Manly defence last week, and a shocking 58% completion rate meant that they were forced to defend for much of the match. If the Raiders cant control the football this week, then you can expect the creative Storm backs to rack up a cricket score.
Melbourne Storm to win this one.
DANGER MEN
Canberra Todd Carney, Phil Graham, Lincoln Withers, Alan Tongue
Melbourne Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Dallas Johnson
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
Canberra Raiders -
Trevor Thurling - Knee - Round 3
Bronx Goodwin - Arm - Round 3
Michael Weyman - Leg - Round 3
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Knee - Round 4
Neville Costigan Suspended Round 3
Steve Irwin- Knee Recon. May
Matt Bickerstaff Knee Round 6
Melbourne Storm -
Matt Rua - wrist - Round 4
Steve Turner - ruptured medial ligament in ankle - Round 4
Adam Blair Ankle Round 5
TEAMS
Canberra Team Marshall Chalk, Colin Best, Phil Graham, David Howell, Adrian Purtell, Todd Carney, Michael Dobson, Scott Logan, Lincoln Withers, Dane Tilse, Glen Turner, Ben Jones, Alan Tongue ©
Bench - Andrew Dunemann, Joe Picker, Josh Miller, Alan Rothery, William Zillman
Melbourne Team Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Matt King, Anthony Quinn, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Antonio Kaufusi, Cameron Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson
Bench - Michael Crocker, Garret Crossman, Jeff Lima, James Aubusson, Ben Cross, Ryan Shortland, Sam Tagataese
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